The Oklahoma secondary was expected to be a major strength of this team heading into the 2007. After three weeks of fall practices, that thinking hasn't changed. But some of the players involved in one of the best secondaries in the Big 12 has changed heading into the season opener on Sept. 1st.

Returning free safety, Darien Williams, missed all of last spring as he recovered from offseason knee surgery.

The rehab went well for Williams but he suffered another setback during the summer when he suffered a broken foot which required more surgery.

The initial prognosis was that Williams could have been back for the season opener. But after missing the entire spring and most of fall practices waiting to be cleared by doctors, it now appears Williams will have to wait to make his return to the OU defense.

"Nic (Harris) is our starting free safety and at this point and time when we go to our nickel, Nic will still go to the nickel when we get out of our base and right now Lendy Holmes will come out as our free safety," said defensive secondary coach Bobby Jack Wright on Thursday.